Vibram FiveFingers: Your feet deserve to be happy, too.

[TheBlueCow]

Website: http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/

I just got these last night. I tried them on, and of course, found myself unable to ignore my toes being separated, so it was a bit uncomfortable at first. I wore them for a bit longer and my feet did start getting used to it. If you read up on them, you'll find that they market them as a "second skin" or protective layer for going barefoot. That they also promote a healthy and "natural walking motion, reducing impact on your knees, hips, and lower back". They're designed to allow you to walk as nature intended (barefoot) with the philosophy that you're born with bare feet for a reason, and that wearing shoes can really mess your feet up.

Basically, they are like a mold of the bottom of your foot, so you walk naturally, and the sole gives you protection from hot pavement, sharp rocks or glass shards (and other unexpected surprises), and all together you run less risk of direct foot injury that you aren't protected against without a rubber sole (which is the reason shoes were created in the first place, to protect your feet). The problem with shoes now, is that they squish your toes together, ruining the architecture of your foot that you were born with.

I wore them all day today, and had pretty much forgotten that I had them on. That is, I felt like I didn't put any shoes on, because they are so light and fit to the form of your foot so well that it truly is like a second-skin. You feel as if you are walking truly barefoot, except that you don't worry about sharp rocks, hot pavement, nasty public bathroom floors....

They really do give all the benefits of going barefoot (being more aware of your environment, more sure of your footing, you walk naturally, etc.) and the advantage of a shoe that protects your foot.

There is an adjustment period though. They say it could take a couple of weeks "to break in your feet". ....Wait, what? Yes, they say that because you wore shoes your whole life, your feet have become quite lazy and many of the muscles in your feet have not been used, and your feet may hurt or be uncomfortable for a couple weeks until you get used to actually walking as nature intended.

All in all, I like them. I feel they will improve my foot health and help me strengthen my feet and legs, improve my balance, posture, and overall improve my health and lifestyle. I intend to wear them for outdoor activity (kayaking, running, hiking, etc.), for exercising, around the house, and possibly out and about in the summer. They have an extremely casual look, so I feel I won't want to wear them in the office again (we have a very relaxed dress code, and no one said anything, but they kind of look like water shoes and are extra-casual looking).

I can't really think of any cons, except that my feet are a tad bit achy after wearing them all day, but as said before, there is an adjustment period, and your feet should get used to it and stop hurting. It will also take awhile before you get used to the feeling of separated toes. But this is all part of what the FiveFingers aim to do, which is help your feet keep their natural architecture, which takes a bit of work after wearing shoes your whole life.

I would recommend them to anyone who is athletic and appreciates a proper, natural walk and foot-leg-spine alignment.

I got the KSO model, because it covers the full range of activities you would use them for, and provides full coverage of my feet, which should come in handy since I plan on hiking and kayaking in them. I may get the Sprint for a more casual summer shoe that I wouldn't hike in.

[Wolfgore]

Thank you for the review on these.
Please do update us in a few weeks when you have worn them longer.
I looked at them after seeing your first post and myself and my daughter decided to put them on our "must have list".
They look kind of cool and I look forward to hearing what you think of them after wearing them a little longer.

Gary

[Coemgen]

Sounds interesting, though a little bit out of my price range.

[JRB]

I think I might get a pair of those for hiking. I'm always barefoot at home and almost always go hiking in a pair of custom moccasins that have an extremely thin sole (to allow me to feel the ground), so these shoes seem to be right up my alley. They're pretty weird looking but that's beside the point if they feel good and perform as advertized.

[12stones]

I was hoping they'd have regular socks too with the "fivefingers." I was introduced to these type of socks when I lived in Japan 10 years ago and they were the greatest thing. I'd love to find them again...

[Ayin McFye]

I was hoping they'd have regular socks too with the "fivefingers." I was introduced to these type of socks when I lived in Japan 10 years ago and they were the greatest thing. I'd love to find them again...

Check out http://www.toesocksupplier.com/

[12stones]

Check out http://www.toesocksupplier.com/

Awesome! Thanks.

[Highland Logan]

I was hoping they'd have regular socks too with the "fivefingers."

They do. Here's the link.

[TheBlueCow]

Sounds interesting, though a little bit out of my price range.

I thought the same thing at first. Then I started looking at the prices of other performance footwear.
I was looking for new hiking boots just a little while ago, and the cheapest ones (we're talking decent quality here) are $80. The pair I was looking at was $125.
For hiking boots. Which I can wear... hiking.
If I were to go kayaking, I won't be wearing those hiking boots I paid $100+ for. Nor would I wear those hiking boots for running or fitness and exercise, or other water sports.
All of those different activities require a different pair of shoes; hiking boots, running shoes, water shoes... all of which would cost you a good amount for a good quality pair. Combine those prices and your talking upwards of $200.
After realizing that, I decided maybe $90 wasn't so bad for a pair of footwear that I can wear to hike, run, exercise, kayaking, etc. which also allow me to walk naturally.

Of course, ninety bucks is ninety bucks. I'm just sayin', if you're looking for new athletic shoes, maybe consider these.


Also, an update after Day 2.
I woke up and my feet and lower legs felt like they got a bit of a workout yesterday.
I didn't get to wear them all day again, but changed into them after work, and this time it was much more comfortable getting into them (especially after wearing dress shoes all day). The only part that still bothers me are my pinky toes, because they're the most offset from where they should be and can't spread easily. This should change after wearing them often enough.
I felt much more natural in them today. I walked around and did things without thinking twice at all. Wearing them is much different than shoes (in a good way!).
Running and jumping are much more facilitated when wearing these. Even walking is a different experience. I'm enjoying my experience in the FiveFingers, I'm experiencing a new sensation of Freedom in them, much like my kilt gives me a feeling of Freedom. They just feel so much more natural that you can't help but enjoy it.

[Coemgen]

I thought the same thing at first. Then I started looking at the prices of other performance footwear.
I was looking for new hiking boots just a little while ago, and the cheapest ones (we're talking decent quality here) are $80. The pair I was looking at was $125.
For hiking boots. Which I can wear... hiking.

Well, I wear my hiking boots about every day (when it isn't unbearably hot), so that wouldn't seem unthinkable to me in that circumstance.

But, your point still stands.

However, I have more important (in my mind) financial goals. Number one right now is getting enough money to fly out to DC for the Revolution March in July (required: $400+; I make: $10/hr).